Community Violence Intervention Vetting Policy
Effective Date: __________________________
Background
Community violence intervention is defined by the United States Department of Justice as a set of community-centered responses to community violence which include efforts such as violence interruption (“street outreach”) and hospital-based violence intervention. 1 Training in evidence -based intervention methods is important to the effectiveness of intervention efforts.
The City of Fresno provides funding to community -based organizations (“contracted organizations”) for community violence intervention work or training. Contracted organizations shall ensure that all employees and/or independent contractors shall be vetted according to the criteria and process set forth in this policy.
This requirement is in place because community violence intervention work includes serving populations that are vulnerable to victimization or re -victimization. The work may also include providing services to minors and/or engagement with minors in the community during outreach efforts.
Policy
A Livescan (fingerprint background check) is required for the contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) who are receiving funding from the City of Fresno to conduct community violence intervention work.
A Livescan (fingerprint background check) is required for the contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) who provide or receive training in community violence intervention that is funded by the City of Fresno.
Due to the nature of the work, certain offenses appearing on the background check are considered exemptible while others are not. The criteria listed in this policy shall be used to qualify individuals for participation in street violence intervention training and/or qualify individuals to provide contracted street violence intervention services funded by the City of Fresno. Contracted organizations will not be able to engage in training or seek reimbursement for employee(s) and/or independent contractors who have not been vetted.
This policy shall be incorporated as an exhibit into all City contracts and/or grants for community violence intervention work or training, regardless of funding source.
Criteria
The following crimes are non- exemptible and will be considered grounds for disqualification from conducting community violence intervention work and/or training . The City reserves the right to offer special consideration for all criteria contained herein on a case-by-case basis through the appeals process. 1 Community based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, https://www.lisc.org/cvipi/ 1 of 5
1. Sex O
ffenses2
A C
ontracted organization ’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with any of the violations or attempted violations of Section 220 , 261, or 261.5 of the California Penal Code, or any sex offense listed in Section 290 of the Penal Code, are disqualified for participation in training or providing contracted services. A summary of the violations is listed below. Please refer to the California Penal Code for a complete list of the violations. a. Assault with intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, oral copulation (Section 220) b. Rape, abduction, carnal abuse of children and seduction (Section 261 and Section 261.5) c. Persons convicted of sexual offenses required to register with the chief of police of the city in which he or she is residing, or the sheriff of the county if he or she is residing in an unincorporated area or city that has no police department (Section 290) d. Sexual battery (Section 243.4)
e. Human Trafficking (Section 236.1)
2. Fe
lony Convictions3
a. A co
ntracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with one or more felony convictions within the last 2 years are disqualified. b. A contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with one or more felony convictions within the last 2.01 to 6.99 years require review by the Review Board outlined in the appeals process.
c. A c ontracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) performing services at a playground or recreational center and in a position having supervisory or disciplinary authority over a minor, shall be disqualified if they have a felony or misdemeanor conviction within the last 10 years in accordance with Article 3, 5164(2)(C) of the CA Public Resources Code.
3. Cr
imes Involving children and/or felony domestic violence4 a. A co
ntracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with any of the violations or attempted violations of Section 273a and 273d of the Penal Code (summarized below) are disqualified.
b. Violation of any statute that involves producing great bodily harm or death, willfully cause or permit any child to suffer, or inflict thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully cause or permit the person or health of that child to be injured, or willfully cause or permit that child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered (Section 273a) willfully inflict upon a child any cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or an injury resulting in a traumatic condition (Section 273d).
c. Any felony statute related to domestic violence.
d. Violation of any statute related to human trafficking, pimping or pandering (Section 236.1, Section 266h and 266i)
2CA Public Resources Code, Article 3 (5164)
3 CA Public Resources Code, Article 3 (5164) and Los Angeles Gang Reduction And Youth Development Agreement 4 CA Public Resources Code, Article 3 (5164)
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4. Pr
obation or parole
a. Probation or parole requirements must be completed prior to the date of training participation or contracted services.
b. The City reserves the right to offer special consideration on a case-by-case basis through the appeals process.
5. Ac
tive Warrant
a. A contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with an active warrant are disqualified.
6. Ac
tive Gang Activity
a. A contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with a gang injunction or court order naming the individual as an active gang member or active associate of the gang are disqualified.
b. An active gang member is defined as a person who actively participates in a criminal street gang with knowledge that its members engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal gang activity, and who willfully promotes, furthers, or assists in felonious criminal conduct by members of that gang (California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 186.22).
Process
Step 1: The contracted organization shall request a livescan background check for any employee(s) and/ or independent contractor(s) funded by the City of Fresno for community violence intervention work, or any employee(s) or independent contractor(s) participating in community violence intervention training funded by the City of Fresno.
Step 2: The contracted organization’s employee(s) and/ or independent contractor(s) complete a live scan through third-party livescan company.
Step 3: The contracted organization shall use the criteria within this policy to review livescan reports and determine whether potential community violence intervention employee (s) and/ or independent contractor(s) engaged in conducting training are eligible to participate in City-funded community violence intervention efforts.
Step 4: The c ontracted organization’s employee(s) or independent contractor (s) are approved and can proceed to participate in city funded community violence intervention efforts OR employee(s) or independent contractor(s) are denied and ineligible. Any employee or independent contractor that is denied shall be ineligible to participate in training and shall not be permitted to provide street violence intervention services funded by the City of Fresno. Appeals may be considered by the Review Board, see appeals section of this policy.
Step 5: T he c ontracted organization provides a signed attestation that this process has been completed for all employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) prior to beginning community violence intervention work, participating in training or conducting training. 3 of 5
Exhibit A
Step 6: The City shall review signed attestation(s) and issue a written notice to proceed with training or community violence intervention work. Any work completed prior to a notice to proceed shall be ineligible for reimbursement.
Review Board and Appeal Process
A Review Board consisting of the following representatives will be convened to review and respond to any appeals.
• Chie
f of Police or designee
• City Manager or designee
• Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Director or designee • Personnel Director or designee
• City Attorney or designee
• A community member
If the contracted organization desires to appeal for reconsideration of an employee or independent contractor, the contracted organization may contact the PARCS Director in writing to request an appeal.
The PARCS Director or designee will convene the Review Board for the purposes of hearing and responding to the request for appeal.
Obligation to Report
Citation or Arrest
Any non-traffic citation or arrest of employee(s)and/or independent contractor(s)funded by the City of Fresno must be reported by community violence intervention workers to the contracted organization within 24 hours of non-traffic citation or arrest. The Contracted organization shall notify the City of Fresno in writing within 24 hours of receiving notice from their employees or volunteers.
Gang Injunction
A contracted organization’s employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) with a gang injunction or court order naming the individual as an active gang member or active associate of the gang are disqualified.
Any individual or organization failing to provide prompt (24 -hour) written notice of non-traffic citations, arrests or gang injunctions pursuant to this procedure shall be subject to disciplin ary actions including, but not limited to, removal from participation, revocation of any certifications or contract termination. 4 of 5
Attestation Form
Attes
tation of Satisfactory Background Investigation Report
On b
ehalf of _____________________________, I acknowledge and attest to The City of Fresno Organization Name
that w
e have a livescan background report for ________________________________________ Personnel Name (first & last)
and s
uch background investigation report is satisfactory in that it does not contain any off the violations outlined in the City of Fresno Community Violence Intervention Policy. __________
__________________________________________________________ Signature of Executive Officer or Authorized Representative ____________________________________________________________________ Printed Name
____________________________________________________________________ Title
___________________________________________________________________ Name of Organization
___________________________________________________________________ Date
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